Paraoptometric Micro-Credential Program
The AOA’s comprehensive micro-credential program equips paraoptometric staff with the knowledge and specialized skills needed to support optometric surgical procedures. This program ensures your team’s education and training align with the growth of the paraoptometric profession.
The AOA Paraoptometric Micro-Credential: Optometric Surgical Assisting program is an accelerated, competency-based educational qualification that delivers staff a foundational understanding of surgical assisting techniques, patient care, and surgical office management. The program prepares paraoptometric staff to support doctors with office-based surgical procedures, including injections, surgical procedures, laser procedures, patient prep, and prepping a sterile field, and understanding all safety and sterilization techniques/requirements, along with wound care, wound irrigation, and other post-care patients would need.
- One, 6.5-hour lecture and theory course, available within the AOA EyeLearn Professional Development Hub.
- One, 4-hour hands-on workshop for skills instruction and assessment, offered at professional meetings, including Optometry’s Meeting.
Paraoptometrics must demonstrate mastery of the essential clinical skills by passing 14 lab exercises and a 100-question exam to receive the micro-credential.
Learn more about the Paraoptometric Micro-Credential: Optometric Surgical Assisting program and why it proves essential learning for staff assisting in in-office procedures.
